The objective of this proposed effort is directed towards the development of a periodontal temperature probe with response time and sensitivity characteristics which can potentially provide an objective and simple diagnostic technique in assessing periodontal disease activity. studies have suggested… More

The use of lasers as a surgical modality has been established in recent years. lasers of various wavelengths are suited for different specific surgical functions. co2 (10.6 ) radiation has small penetration depths in tissues. this leads to high surface temperatures which are desirable for tissue… More

The objective of this proposal is the development of a pulsed mid-ir laser in the 3.5 to 4.1 micrometer atmospheric transmission window. such spectral source is relevant to a variety of tactical applications. the df chemical laser has been the choice, but suffers from waste fuel management problems.… More

The scattering of x-rays can be used to image the density ofanatomical structures up to several centimeters deep in the human body. this research describes a technique of using comptom scattered x-rays in an ipsilateral (backscatter) geometry to obtain three-dimensional density information… More

There are an estimated 600,000 children under six years old with elevated blood lead levels and only 5,000 per year undergoing treatment; as yet, no technique is available to measure total body lead burden. this proposal describes a technique which uses x-ray fluorescence in a transmission geometry… More

The objective of this program is to design and build a stapler for performing end-to-end and end-to-side anastomoses on medium to large vessels, and for repairing blood vessels and vascular aneurysms, and to develop a surgical protocol for its use. the method proposed uses a special stapler and… More

The objective of this proposal is the development of a miniature electrical connector suitable for permanent implantation in the body. such a device is intended to serve as a connect/disconnect point for neural prostheses, enabling replacement of faulty components without necessitating removal of an… More

X-ray fluorescence (xrf) is the most precise method of measuring body and organ burdens of heavy metals in vivo. however, the required precision for screening of chronicallylow-level-exposed populations for these metals, in particular lead and mercury, is between 5 and 20 times greater than… More

The effectiveness of intra-aortic balloon pump (iabp) therapy is dependent on physiological and physical variables, perhaps the most important of which is the setting of iabp timing of inflation and deflation relative to the cardiac cycle. the optimization of timing is currently handled manually,… More

Labor saving techniques are essential given the current pressure on clinical cost containment. since blood classification and screening is a notoriously labor intensive area of the clinical laboratory, manufacturers have concentrated on developing various abo/rh typing techniques. few of us… More

Three to four million young children from all levels of society are exposed to environmental sources of lead at concentrations that place them at risk for adverse health effects. yet, there is no tool available for measuring total pediatric body burden of lead. this project will develop an x-ray… More

Centrifugal blood pumps have been used extensively for short-term circulatory assistance and perfusion pumps. their utility for long-term ventricular assistance is limited by thrombus formation at the shaft seal. abiomed, inc., will develop a magnetically suspended centrifugal blood pump that will… More

This research will demonstrate that a new 1.9-mu m laser can perform laser-assisted vascular anastomoses of small-diameter vessels (1 to 5 mm). the 1.9-mu m light has optimal absorption characteristics to ensure an even deposition of energy in the vessel wall. this should resultin a more desired… More

The objective is to develop a periodontal probe capable of measuring site temperature and pocket depth simultaneously and automatically. the probe is intended to be a rapid screening device for the state of periodontal health during routine dental examinations. studies have shown that the inflamed… More

Automated blood cell analysis is a routine function in the clinical hematology laboratory. however, the flow cytometric instrumentation performing these tests may have fundamental limitations regarding measurement of red blood cell volume, red blood cell hemoglobin concentration, and accurate… More

Between cochlear implants and quadri/paraplegics, there are approximately 700,000 persons in the u. s. who would benefit from prosthetics utilizing neural or neuromuscular stimulation. such systems require implantable, high-speed, bi-directional, transcutaneous data transmission immune to variations… More

Endoscopic exploration of the utero-fallopian region is useful and may become a more general observational modality if a viewing instrument can be build with a front end that is disposable and inexpensive, has a small diameter with potential for transcervical introduction without anesthesia, and can… More

The use of dedicated pulsatile ventricular support devices (VAD) for circulatory support is becoming an accepted treatment modality for adult patients requiring support due to post-cardiotomy pump failure or post-AMI cariogenic shock; the VAD could also be used as a bridge to transplant. Although… More

The limited availability of donor hearts for people with end stage heart failure has driven the condevelopment of mechanical circulatory support systems (MCSSs). MCSSs can be broadly classified intocontinuous flow systems. Pulsatile systems drive blood indirectly through blood pumps, resulting… More

Minimal access abdominal surgery through the laparoscope has generally replaced surgical procedureslaparotomy for several common procedures, including cholecystectomy and appendectomy. More complicatgastrointestinal operations are also being attempted laparoscopically. Many of these procedures… More

Calcification of blood contacting surfaces has been the key impediment to the development of polymevalve prostheses and other polymeric implantables. The deposition of calcium plaques as hydroxyapatiand potentially leads to valve dysfunction. That calcification proceeds preferentially along… More

The objective is an optical periodontal probe tailored to automatically measure and record multiple tissue parameters deemed important for disease detection and treatment monitoring. As a first step in the development of a multi-functional device, a probe designed to mimic the visual measurements… More

A bearingless disposable centrifugal blood pump will be developed in this project, together with ainexpensive driver and controller. The rotor of the pump will be suspended by a combination of magnethat it is washed on all surfaces by moving blood. The elimination of bearings and shaft seals… More

Our objective is to develop a laser welding technique for applications in urologic anastomotic repalaparoscopic procedures in which conventional suturing techniques are difficult. The project is desistrength of welds in a bladder augmentation procedure (enterocystoplasty) under feedback… More

The limited availability of donor hearts for people with end stage heart failure has driven the condevelopment of mechanical circulatory support systems (MCSSs). MCSSs can be broadly classified intocontinuous flow systems. Pulsatile systems drive blood indirectly through blood pumps, resulting… More

Not Available An engine-generator set is proposed for the Burnt Mountain Seismic Observatory which was not considered in the original 1994 review of alternative power systems. It is a mechanical system which provides much higher efficiency than solid-state devices, and much higher reliability than… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The ultimate objective of this proposal is the development of a novel, bioactive polymer for use in ventricular assist devices (VAD), and other long-term blood contacting implantable devices. Although VADs are becoming an important therapeutic option for patients… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The ultimate objective of this proposal is the commercialization of a pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD). Although, VADs, both implantable and paracorporeal, have become an important surgical option for adult patients with myocardial failure unresponsive… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The development of a durable, hemocompatible valve prosthesis is the long-term objective of this proposal. While heart valve prostheses have been used successfully since 1960, 10-year survival rates still range from 37-58%. Existing replacement valves are… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Cardiac assist devices are increasingly being used for long term support. As patient survival times increase substantially, long-term management of the patients will increasingly play a role in suitability of these devices as destination therapies. … More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Cardiac assist devices are increasingly being used for long term support. As patient survival times increase substantially, device wear-out will increasingly play a role in the clinical management of patients with long term devices. Most of the extended use… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Cardiac failure is the, largest single cause of mortality in the United States today. With an increase in the use of long-term cardiac assist devices, there is also a need for the short-term "bridge to recovery" application. This application is intended to… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The ultimate objective of this proposed program is the commercialization of a neonate ventricular assist device (VAD). Although VADs, both implantable and paracorporeal, have become an important surgical option for adult patients with myocardial failure… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this proposal is to produce a fully characterized polyurethane heart valve prosthesis that will be ready for clinical evaluation. Existing replacement valves suffer from several shortcomings. Specifically, b iological tissue fixation and methods used… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The ultimate objective of this proposed program is the commercialization of a universal transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system with a high performance implantable battery. This integrated power system will be adapt able to a host of next generation fully… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this proposed program is to develop a general purpose anastomotic device for large vessels and vascular grafts, based on a novel stapler design. The use of the device can provide an alternative procedur e to the current manual suturing methods,… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall objective of this proposed program is the commercialization of an advanced intraventricular cardiac assist system for cardiac unloading and recovery. This type of ventricular assist device (VAD) will provide the optimal support for recovery for acute… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this proposal is to develop a less invasive long-term copulsation device to treat patients in late Class III and early Class IV stages of heart failure (HF). Chronic congestive heart failure is the larg est unsolved problem in cardiac care today.… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this SBIR program is the modification of a polymeric trileaflet heart valve to a valve prosthesis that can be delivered percutaneously as a transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Key innovations includ e improved durability and hemodynamic… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall objective of this proposed program is the commercialization of the Pediatric Impella system, a minimally invasive ventricular assist device (VAD) for treatment of acute heart failure in pediatric patients. T he device will be a less traumatic… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall objective of this proposed program is the commercialization of the Pediatric Impella system, a minimally invasive ventricular assist device (VAD) for treatment of acute heart failure in pediatric patients. The device will be a less traumatic… More